Varan watched the princess across from him. Nadyah sat next to her and despite everything it wasn’t awkward between the three of them. Nadyah seemed engrossed in her simulcast and Adelina simply stared out the window of the hov-carriage as they traveled through Stella di Draga.

Roxy didn’t know they were on their way, but it was imperative they got out of the palace before something triggered Adelina’s panic attacks again. Varan never would have guessed in a million cycles that the princess had such terrible anxiety.

She hid it well, and her control and strength had to be bottomless in such a place where she was constantly tested. Varan didn’t think it was because she was submissive, although there was some truth to that when a sub was shoved into a situation that made them uncomfortable. They were rather introverted people.

Adelina had been born in a world where everyone stared at her. She’d gotten control of what made her afraid and fought back with an inner strength that very few possessed.

Somehow Varan had fallen hard for her.

He’d known it the moment she’d said she wanted him, the moment his lips touched hers. His love for her as a friend had turned on him, so quickly and easily he’d barely had time to breathe. It shocked him. He wanted her as his wife, badly. Adelina was going to be his.

But then he would have to share her. And as he watched her he knew that he could, if only because it would make her happy. Varan was not unused to the idea. Many people married or loved multiple partners just as many people loved only one.

If he were to convince Nash this could work Varan knew he had to train harder, and make sure his dominance was strong enough to bring the male in line; for Adelina.

The hov-carriage swayed as they went through another set of gates into the third-circle. They were close. It wouldn’t be much longer before they reached his warehouse along the docks.

The kiss they’d shared, the one he’d asked for, had surprised him. Varan hadn’t expected to feel anything at all. Instead it was as though everything he knew about her came together when he’d closed his eyes and let the scent and taste of her fill him. He knew her scent as well as he knew his own. It was unique and special – as Adelina and Lina. She was both, as she’d said.

Varan glanced out the back window again. “We have a tail,” he murmured. He’d expected something of the sort from Raena.

Nadyah looked up, alarmed. “What do you propose?”

Adelina finally turned from the window and her gaze met his. Her eyes were still so blank. It gutted him. When she shrugged he had to blink away the vision of the way she’d trembled, barely breathing in his arms.

It was up to him then. Varan tapped his implant to signal the driver. “Take us around the long way, and cut through the second-circle again. Then take us to the House of Kismet.” They’d be able to walk the rest of the way easily enough.

“Do you have lists of what you need from your rooms?” Varan asked the two of them. It wouldn’t be difficult to have his spies pack up their belongings. If he could keep Adelina away from the palace until they left – he would.

“I just sent them over,” Nadyah said. She didn’t once question him or his reasons. Her focus immediately went back to her simulcast.

“What are you so engrossed in?” Varan asked, leaning forward to look.

Nadyah snatched her device away and glared at him. “None of your damn business.”

Adelina looked at her courtesan in question, no other emotion visible on her face. Cula, she could be hard to read.

“If you must know, I’m speaking with Taj,” Nadyah sniffed. “He has sent a delivery of food and supplies through his contacts to your warehouse, Varan. I’m trying to gather the protein cubes and documentation, among all the other millions of things I was supposed to have two weeks to do. If I’m lucky, Jael will assist and we’ll just be able to make it in time for our departure. If Roxy can do the repairs in such a short time frame.” Nadyah threw her hair over her shoulder and tapped out another message.

There was something else the courtesan didn’t want to share, but Varan didn’t have the energy to press the matter.

“I need to stop at the Jeweler’s guild tonight,” Adelina said. It was the first time she’d spoken since they left the palace. “And I wondered if you knew of a place I could stay until our departure. I don’t want to risk my own apartment if we are being so closely watched. I need to be away from Raena for a while.”

“Of course,” Varan said, leaning forward. He resisted the urge to take her hand. Adelina didn’t look interested in being touched at the moment. “But you can stay at my place. It’s large enough for the both of you if you wish.” And it was well protected thanks to his rogues. He looked over at Nadyah and she nodded.

“I’ll be wherever Adelina is,” Nadyah said.

“The warehouse would be a good place to have our base of operations,” Adelina murmured. “It’s where I told the Master Sealer to meet us, as well as Countess Joslynn. She’s going to beg a ride to her planet and I decided I wanted to tell her everything. If she can’t handle what she sees, then we are not truly friends and never were.”

Varan flinched at the brutal words. This war had already changed Adelina and it was only beginning. It wasn’t really the war though; it was the people around her who failed her. Varan vowed not to let her down. He’d sworn an oath and it was his job to protect her on this journey.

“The Master Sealer?” Nadyah asked. She set her simulcast down and focused completely on the princess. “Whatever for?”

“I plan to receive the mark on my back, plus one more,” Adelina answered, looking out the window again. “To help remind me of who I am, and what I’m fighting for – to ground me.”

“Does anyone know?” Nadyah asked in concern.

Adelina shook her head. “I’m of age now, old enough to wed. I should be old enough to make my own decisions about my own body.”

Nadyah sighed and looked to Varan for assistance. He shrugged. It wasn’t like he knew what to do about it. A new seal could be the perfect solution. The only other royal with the Draga seal on the back was Asher. It was a beautiful mark and Adelina wanted that reminder – but more likely to remind others of what she was when she showed it off.

“A princess covered in gold,” Varan chuckled. “The dragons will welcome you into their borders with open arms.”

Adelina quirked her lip up, amusement flashed in her eyes and there was life in her face once more. Varan felt relief wash through him at the expression. “One can only hope, Prince. Be careful around them and don’t steal anything, no matter how precious, valuable, or rare.”

He scoffed, keeping the tone light and playful. She needed a reminder that there was still fun in the world. “I would never. Borrowing isn’t stealing.”

Adelina’s smile widened and Varan counted his lucky stars.

The hov-carriage finally stopped outside the House of Kismet and Jael was already there, waiting in front of the main door. Varan had never officially met the female in any capacity, but knowing she was also the Spider impressed him. Her spies were the best in the galaxy. He’d trained his own as a tribute to her work, and then sent them far and wide.

Adelina didn’t wait for the driver to open the door. She was up and out with that strange case in her hands before Varan realized the carriage had stopped. “Mistress,” Adelina said with a slight bow of her head.

“What can I do for you?” Jael asked, glancing from the princess to Nadyah, and then finally to Varan.

He helped Nadyah out of the hov-carriage and then sent the taxi on his way. The male always gave him some of the best gossip and had been on his payroll for cycles now.

Nadyah curtseyed before her Mistress. “I need to pack a few things, and then speak with you on certain matters.”

Jael’s sharp gaze never moved from Varan and he grinned at her, slipping his hands into his pockets. The female always rubbed him the wrong way when he had seen her. She was a cunning bitch, but he had to admire her skill as a fellow colleague.

“Won’t you bow, Prince?” Jael snapped.

Varan inclined his head only slightly. “Well, I do outrank you,” he teased.

The Spider sputtered in outrage and Adelina flicked him a look. They had only so much time.

“How dare you?” Jael hissed as he followed Nadyah into the House.

Varan had never taken a courtesan, or paid for the service of one. “As a lower prince of the people I’d say I’m about equal to a noble and a courtesan in rank, and I also happen to be more dominant than you, if only by a smidge,” he said, looking at all the various fixtures and paintings. “This place really is lovely.”

Jael growled but she didn’t argue with him. “As if you’ve never seen the inside,” she muttered, implying he’d stolen something of hers of course.

Varan ignored her and stayed close to the princess. He didn’t know the interior from personal experience but he’d studied the blueprints enough, plus he’d gone through the secret passage in Nadyah’s closet more than once.

“I suppose you’re going to tell me there’s nothing I can do to keep you on Draga Terra,” Jael said to Nadyah with more emotion than Varan had thought possible.

He watched the way she looked at the other courtesan – a wistful longing. The two had been intimate before.

“No Jael, I have to do this. You know as well as I how important it is.”

Jael stopped before the back wall of the House, wide windows from floor to ceiling with a fantastic view of the ocean. She turned and pulled Nadyah into a fierce hug. “I know we’ve had our differences, but I want you to stay safe and come back to me.”

Nadyah kissed the Mistress of the House on the lips and it was tender. Varan had to look away. He felt like he was intruding on a private moment. Varan stared out the massive windows to the balcony with the statues of the gods and goddesses. Ladra wasn’t present, but rarely was she represented properly.

“Then send me a list of what you still need, and I’ll do what I can,” Jael said, looking at the princess as well. “I serve the Crown and this is more important than the Crown Princess believes it is.”

“Thank you,” Adelina told her. “I appreciate your loyalty. Nadyah will also send the coordinates and timeframe.”

“Come Varan, let’s be on our way.” Nadyah pulled him along.

He turned from the view and followed with his eyes on all the nooks and crannies. Adelina pressed into his side and it took more effort than he cared to admit to stay casual. He wanted to wrap an arm around her and keep her close, but it wasn’t what she needed. She needed to stand on her own two feet, even if she did need the reminder she wasn’t alone.

Nadyah let them into her room and she ran about, gathering what she could with impressive speed. It hadn’t been very long ago Varan had been in that same room, tempting the courtesan.

“All right, let’s go,” Nadyah said, ushering them into her closet.

The panel slid open and she handed Adelina a cloak. Varan ducked under the small door and led the way through the House of Kismet grounds and back into the city. No one should know about the passage except Jael so the tail would be sitting, waiting for them to leave the House for hours, maybe even a whole day before realizing they were no longer there.

Adelina and Nadyah followed closely behind Varan. He wanted her in front of him so he could guard her better, but between him and the courtesan she would be safe. Varan simply didn’t like not being able to see her.

He listened to the two females talk and plan as he led the way through Stella di Draga, taking all his favorite alleys and backstreets, cutting through yards and taking shortcuts he and only a handful of others knew about.

Within the hour they were at the docks. “Shh,” he warned them. Varan pressed against the wall of the warehouse across from his as he scouted the area. He glanced back. Nadyah and Adelina mimicked his every move perfectly. Then Varan took out his scanner and waited for the ping that would tell him the area was clear.

“No more tails and no one unidentified,” he reported, slipping his device back into his pocket.

“You’ve scanned everyone here?” Nadyah whispered.

Varan nodded. “All who live and work in my territory have been scanned; keeps everyone safe.”

He walked across the street first towards the warehouse door. It was a massive place and took up the entire block. He’d moved all his ships in preparation for Roxy’s work. He could hear her yelling from the street.

With a grin he placed his palm against the door and it swung open to reveal chaos. Mechanics scurried about like rats in sewers. The noise was unbelievable. All three ships were gutted and parts were being replaced. Roxy had her hands on her hips, directing and watching.

Every few moments she would go back to the large desk and mess with a few holographic 3D images, typing out formulas, and then she would go to the work table and work on a strange looking part before turning back around to yell at someone.

“Looks wonderful, Roxy,” Adelina murmured. Somehow he could hear her quiet voice over the din and apparently so did his friend.

She whirled around with a look of fury on her face. “You!” she said, pointing a stylus at the princess.

Varan growled, stepping in front of Adelina, the instinct was out of his control and it shocked him. He needed to get it together; the princess didn’t need his protection in the warehouse.

Roxy blinked at him, but her anger didn’t wane. “You said I had five days!”

Varan glanced at Adelina. She must have sent a message ahead.

“I was mistaken,” Adelina said. “I apologize. Is there any way you can do it? Whatever you need, I will make it happen.”

“Can you stop time?” Roxy demanded. “Because that is the only way this is going to work.”

Adelina’s eyes narrowed and Varan stiffened. Her wolf was right under the surface, ready and raring to go. He’d known there would be some kind of dominance tussle between Roxy and the princess and he wanted to stay the bloody hells out of it.

“Ladies,” he said gently, stepping away from both of them. “Please remember we are on a time sensitive schedule.”

It was the wrong thing to say.

“Yeah, thanks to the insanity of the royal house!” Roxy screeched.

Nadyah rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Nothing about this seemed to faze her. Varan stepped closer to her; maybe she would be able to protect him if things got ugly. As a male he would be a target, simply for having a cock.

Adelina took a step forward, accepting the unspoken challenge. “I will not stay in the palace any longer than I have to,” she hissed. “If I have to haul parts, or clean, or do repairs I will; anything to make this happen.”

Roxy blinked at the raw truth in the statement. “Do you even know how to work on a ship?”

“I don’t, but I can write programs, and I’m fully capable of hauling equipment. If my skills could be used I offer them freely.”

Roxy crossed her arms and glared, still not happy, but she wasn’t absolutely furious any longer and Varan breathed a sigh of relief. “Perhaps when we get to that part. If you need us to work day and night we will, but it will have to be in shifts and there will have to be more workers to take on the mundane tasks. I can get more in tonight, and perhaps we can manage.”

“How is that addition to the engines coming along?” Varan asked, walking around the work table to put it between him and the females. He admired Roxy’s handiwork. It was confusing and completely foreign to him, but it looked complex and he was proud of what she was able to accomplish.

“I’ll be done with that one tonight,” Roxy said. “Hopefully the other two will be easier. If I cannot get them finished faster, nothing will get us off this planet before they’re ready.” She shrugged and turned back to her work. “Don’t bother me and I’ll get more done.”

“May I have a worktable nearby?” Adelina asked. “I have a few things I need to work on as well.”

Varan studied his two favorite people. Lina knew the warehouse was Roxy’s territory at the moment and asking permission was a large step towards his childhood friend accepting that Lina also happened to be a royal.

“Fine, but don’t bug me and the music is mine to choose.” Roxy grabbed one of her tools and went back to work, flipping her goggles down and the magnifier over her left eye. Her red hair was a stark contrast to the dank and dark warehouse.

Roxy had always been a fire blazing in the night.

Adelina looked to Varan and he jerked into motion. Right, he was the host. It took only seconds to activate the other worktable in the floor and then he waited, feeling useless. Varan had no idea what Adelina needed from him. Normally he could anticipate everything, but at the moment he was still numb from the council meeting and all he’d learned from his day at the palace.

“Tell me what you need and I’ll make it happen,” Varan said. He shrugged and slipped his hands into his pockets, waiting for the princess to make use of him.

“Food Varan,” Nadyah said. “The workers will need food; we will all need to eat. We’re hosting a countess and a lord as well as the Master Sealer. If this is the base of operations it needs to be secured.” She stomped on the ground and a chair unfolded from the ground next to Adelina’s.

The princess set that strange case on the table and opened it with care. Even Roxy stopped what she was doing to watch. Adelina then pulled out her own goggles and pulled them over her head to hang from her neck. Without a word she began to set up delicate tools, a portable magnifier, gold, gems, and a small box with a diamond. Adelina ignored everyone as she slid the goggles on and set the fat diamond into a brace. She began cutting into it, carefully and delicately, pausing to check a note before continuing again.

“What are you doing?” Roxy asked.

Varan had never seen Adelina work before, but he was familiar with the finished projects. He leaned in to study the design on the note. Another love match then, she adored those. “This is for Joslynn?” he asked.

“I’m finishing the ring Lord Sirus designed for Countess Joslynn. I agreed to do the work before Joslynn became – afraid. If we cannot rectify things today, it would be best to sever our friendship and go our separate ways outside what is required of our titles,” Adelina explained, sparks fluttering in the air as she worked.

A ping on his simulcast alerted him of a new presence in the docks. “It looks like the Master Sealer is here.” Varan tapped out a dozen casts to a dozen people and checked his surveillance system. Three more casts and he doubled the guards in the area. Then he left the ladies to go fetch the Sealer.

It was difficult to believe that a man such as the Sealer would come to a place like the docks for a royal mark. Varan had heard the male was nearing three hundred cycles. Asher already had a piece from him, but his seal on the palm might have to be done by one of the Sealer’s apprentices.

“Hello there,” Varan said, grinning at the crotchety old man. He’d never seen the male in person before, but he’d heard stories.

“Take me to the princess,” the Sealer grumbled.

Varan offered him an arm but he shook him off and pushed past him into the warehouse. The Sealer was stronger than he looked and Varan couldn’t help his smile. He trotted after the old man, hoping to get some answers.

“So, why come all the way out here, mate? I’ve heard you’re rather particular.” They avoided the workers buzzing about like bees and ducked under one of the ships.

Adelina and Roxy worked in silence while Nadyah’s face was practically glued to her simulcast. Varan glanced at the male again, wondering if he would get a response.

The Sealer glanced at him. “A mark is more than the gold and more than the job. Adelina needs this, so I will give it to her. The marks will be a representation of what she is, and I believe the worlds need to see it.”

Varan considered his words as they approached the tables. Nadyah stood and curtseyed but the Sealer waved her off. Adelina gave him a hug, but they didn’t exchange words.

“Do you need somewhere private?” Varan asked. He’d never witnessed a mark being performed before, even with all his spies and programs.

“No, if the Sealer can work here then we will be fine.”

Servants began to fill the warehouse, carrying armfuls of food and drinks. They set up tables in the back of the warehouse and laid everything out. Varan gave them a nod of thanks as they filed out.

He stayed close to Adelina, curious about the process. Nadyah looked concerned and he signaled for a servant to bring them a pitcher of cold water. They could all stand to be a bit more hydrated in the heat.

When Adelina stripped off her shirt, he blinked. In front of everyone she wore nothing but a breast band and he couldn’t help himself. Varan took in every inch of bare skin and then realized he probably wasn’t the only one looking.

Roxy beat him to it though. She whirled around and snarled at anyone not working. “Keep your damn eyes to yourself or the prince will snatch them from your head.”

No one looked a second time.

Varan grinned. He would gladly take any eyes Adelina asked for.

“Is there another table?” the Sealer asked.

Varan activated it and Adelina climbed up, lying on her back. He frowned. This must be the other mark she’d mentioned, the one that should be forbidden. It was not his place to question the princess though; it was her body as she’d said.

The Master Sealer began his work, carving into the flesh right underneath her breasts. Only once did she flinch when the laser first touched her, melding the gold and stitching it into the skin. The scent of burning flesh was repugnant and Varan wrinkled his nose.

Still, he angled himself to watch the work and was surprised at how gorgeous the design was. The Master Sealer didn’t work with a stencil as he’d seen other artists do with ink in his territory. The Sealer worked precisely, but freehanded.

“Are you all right?” Nadyah asked. There was a look of concern on her face.

“Yes Nadyah,” Adelina said. “It’s not as bad when I know what to expect.”

The first time must have been brutal.

Another chime on his simulcast and Varan read the messages. “The mercs were able to move up the meeting to tonight if you like,” he told the princess.

“Yes, that’s fine. Will you sit and talk with me, Prince?”

Varan set up another chair and tried to ignore how pleased he was with the request. He sat across from the Sealer and watched as the gold turned molten. What she endured was more than he could fathom. Adelina grasped his hand and he squeezed in reassurance.

“It’s really lovely,” he said. “What is the mark for?”

Those purple eyes of hers stared into his. “A vine of jasmine,” she told him. “With the goddess’s marks for strength and wisdom.”

“You are strong,” he told her, leaning in close to keep the words private. “Don’t let anyone else convince you otherwise.” He was so close to her bare skin, but Varan held back his desire. She needed his strength not his lust.

“You are the only one who has thought so since the first day we met,” she admitted.

He supposed that was true. Varan never once doubted Lina’s strength and ability despite her submissive scent.

“There are days when I hate being a submissive,” Adelina confessed.

“You are what you are,” Varan said, knowing she would understand his intended meaning. With her genetics she could be whatever she needed to be, whatever she wanted to be.

The Sealer worked up into the space between Adelina’s breasts and Varan couldn’t help but look. The work was perfect. The gold glittered into a point on her breastbone, framing the curve of each breast. Each jasmine was created with purple gold, twining with the yellow gold in a way he’d never seen before. Varan wanted to lick the pattern, following the curlicues and whorls with his tongue.

“Thank you Varan, for everything,” Adelina said, squeezing his hand tight as the Sealer made a curve into her skin.

“Anything for you, Lina darling.” As he stared into her eyes he hoped she understood the extent of his words, the utter truth of them. “I am yours.” And always would be.